Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Release Date, Price, Specs, Features

UPDATE 03-17-2017: An intriguing report this week suggests that Samsung may be imitating the iPhone range when the Galaxy Note 8 hits the stores. With Samsung having been involved in supplying components for the iPhone series, it is suggested that it has gained inspiration from this process and will ape one of the most distinctive iPhone 7 features.

OLED 3D Touch

Korean reports suggest that Samsung is working on a pressure-sensitive OLED touch display, and that this could debut in both the iPhone 8 and Galaxy Note 8. This 3D Touchscreen will incorporate the 3D Touch functionality that has been part of previous LCD generations, updating it for the contemporary marketplace.

Samsung has reportedly already debuted this screen at the Mobile World Congress, although it was obviously not part of the public trade show. Samsung supposedly gave a behind closed doors demonstration of the potential of this device, and it is now believed that it could make its first appearance in the Galaxy Note 8, before being part of the iPhone 8 later this year. “The latest technology boasts higher sensitivity and a wider range of pressure-sensing levels compared to the previous one used in Huawei’s P9 in 2015,” a source close to the Apple supply chain commented.

However, it is not yet clear whether the new components will be ready in time for the Galaxy Note 8. While the technology is not quite in prototype state, it may not be prepared for mass consumption in time for the August and September release dates of the Galaxy Note 8 and iPhone 8 respectively.

But it is obvious that both Apple and Samsung would love to embrace this in the next generation of their devices, as the new feature will effectively replaced the virtual Home button. It has been widely reported that both Apple and Samsung are looking to phase out this frequent feature of mobiles this year, and this new technology could obviously play a major part in this process.

It would undoubtedly be a major filip for Samsung to include some form of pressure-sensitive technology in the Galaxy Note 8, as this was seen as a major innovation and selling point of the iPhone 7. it would also be an obvious way that Samsung could retain all the existing functionality of the Galaxy Note range while also removing the Home button.

Dual-camera coming

Elsewhere, it has been suggested this week that Samsung will include a dual-camera in the Galaxy Note 8. reports have focused on the Korean manufacturer updating its camera capabilities in an attempt to impress consumers ahead of what will effectively be a relaunch of the Galaxy Note series.

It is notable that Samsung recently unveiled its latest high-spec Exynos 8895 chipset, and this features provisions for supporting dual-camera technology. This suggests that the chip will feature in the Galaxy Note 8, and that the chipset will play a part in delivering dual-lens technology.

Leaks from close to the Samsung supply chain also suggest that the dual-camera technology that Samsung will include in the Galaxy Note 8 differs from some of the other examples already present in the marketplace. It is believed that the dual-sensor snapper that Samsung wishes to include in the Galaxy Note 8 features two differing sensors. The first of these is described as high-powered, while the other is low-powered. This suggests a similar setup to devices previously released by HTC.

Considering that the Galaxy Note 8 should also include a significantly more powerful chipset, it is fair to assert that the photographic capabilities of the next generation device will be a big improvement over even the doomed Galaxy Note 7. It is easy to forget now that this particular handset was the recipient of excellent reviews prior to its exploding demise.

Additionally, it is also known that the Exynos 8895 has the potential to support megapixel ratings of up to 28-megapixels for both rear and front sensors. Whether Samsung will take advantage of this remains to be seen, but it has led some pundits to speculate that the megapixel rating of the smartphone could be increased significantly over previous generations. Thus, the Korean corporation could inch up the camera in the Galaxy Note 8 to 16-megapixels, at least according to some reports.

Forbes also suggested this week that a dual-camera had been considered for the Galaxy S8 before Samsung shelved the idea. It is not known why this decision was taken, or whether there were technological or logistical problems. Another possibility is that Samsung wishes to distinguish the Galaxy Note range from the Galaxy S series by including a dual-camera.

But what has emerged from the Galaxy S8 generation is that Samsung has a prototype of a duall-camera module available. This means that adapting it for the Galaxy Note 8 generation should be feasible. And there is no doubt that the Galaxy Note 8 requires as many unique features as possible in order to stay relevant; Samsung already faces a challenge to restore the reputation of the brand after the Galaxy Note 7 disaster.

Third product range expected

Another interesting suggestion this week is that the Galaxy Note 8 may no longer be the most premium Samsung mobile release. Reports have focused on a potential third device release from the Korean manufacturer, featuring a luxurious design and quality beyond anything that Samsung has delivered so far.

Reports suggest that this prototype could be unveiled at some point this year, although it may not actually become available to the public until 2018. It is believed that Samsung also showed off this device at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, with a private demonstration to a number of partners having apparently taken place.

The South Korean giant is attempting to prevent leaks at this time, but there are strong rumors already circulating that this is the foldable device that has been so strongly anticipated. Samsung initially debuted this prototype technology at a trade show in 2008, and one decade later it could finally be ready for the marketplace.

UPDATE 03-10-2017: As Samsung continues its preparation for the range of smartphones that the corporation will release in 2017, rumors this week suggest that the Galaxy Note 8 may be rather similar to the Galaxy S8 Plus. Samsung has yet to confirm either device, but it seems that the two phablet contenders will have a great deal in common.

Trickle down

Samsung is expected to include several new features in the forthcoming Galaxy S8 Plus, with the anticipation being that these will ultimately trickle down into a Galaxy Note 8 release later in 2017. In previous generations, the Galaxy Note has been more powerful than the Galaxy S series, with this contributing to the exalted reputation of the phablet range.

But after the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco, it seems that Samsung is reconsidering the way that it positions its major devices. Murmurings indicate that Samsung may release two phablet devices during its spring launch, with the larger of these two, the Galaxy S8 Plus, featuring a 6.2-inch display. This would make the scale of the handset similar to that of the Galaxy Note 7, which had 153.5 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm dimensions and